Hey all,

I have this problem that reoccurrs once in awhile and I can't work out what it is...

Some days she turns over fine, perfect in fact esp, with the new electronic dissy, she turns over first time every time. However sometimes, whether the engine is warm or cold, i turn the key and all I get is a metallic "click" from the starter sollenoid but no cranking...

it's would be a case of turn, "click" turn "click.

If I take the hand brake off and do a rolling start it someones works and she would turn over first time as usual. Sometimes even this doesn't work...

Where do i start looking?? I am thinking:

1) starter solenoid problem? incorrect grounding of the starter motor or something stupid like that? starter motor on the way out?
2) I feel maybe that there is a bad earth connection on the battery in the boot...?
3) Is this a regular thing that I have to always start her using a rolling start?
4) could it be anything else??

I am thinking that she is just plain unhappy without the boot badge and hence why she's playing up!

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Lillee - 1969 Morris Mini K

Could be the starter motor itself. I know i had this intermittent clicking problem but no start a long time ago.
Check that the battery has enough juice.

it sounds like the starter jams up? if i are keen to get rid of the lucas starter go rto pick and pay more and get a holden gemini starter motor with pre engaged solenoid. all u need to do is file out the bolt holes to line up to the mini casting i have done this mod, but not fitted it to my LS (mobile test bench ) yet

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lookin for another clubby

its definately the badge.. they have a tendancy to sulk when this happens

my car was doing this with a dud earth lead on the battery (has also done it when the power lead wasnt bolted down hard on the postive termal of the battery.. just sitting it on there even though it feels tight isnt a good electrical connection)

but id use it as an excuse to get rid of that lucas POS and get a gemini one on there (then check the leads to the battery, the connections on the starter solenoid and the connection on the back of the starter motor itself

it wont be the starter itself.. they usually work or dont work

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Expert in training

Yeah I think it could very well be a bad earth on the battery. When it "clicks" the cabin lights sometimes go out for a few secs. I'll check these points again tonight.

As for the starter, someone will have to explain to me in detail about modifying the Gemini starter! but like minivan says, the starter seems ok... it's a smells like an electrical problem because it only happens sometimes.

Anyway thanks all, I just thought maybe someone knew whether it was a regular Mini problem or not

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Lillee - 1969 Morris Mini K

That might be because the starter is jammed / not working right, and extra current is being drawn to try and work the starter.

Definitely replace it Chong.

oh... i see. It is a relatively easy job? ie. buy starter, take out old one, put new one in?

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Lillee - 1969 Morris Mini K

also do you have a cooper s oil cooler fitted? if you do and you dont want to move it (assuming its on cooper s brackets) you are stuck with the lucas one

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lookin for another clubby

yea I reckon so. watch out for skinned knuckles in that tight roundie engine bay though....

Roger that! No I don't have the oil cooler fitted, it is currently on show in the trophy cabinet in the garage

So next question... anyone have a spare starter motor? How much is a gemini one and can you again explain in detail the mods I have to do to it to get it to fit?

Cheers

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Lillee - 1969 Morris Mini K

as far as i can tell ( havent actually done it)

unbolt the lucas one (two bolts and one wire)

make the holes a lil bit bigger on the gemini one
bolt the bugger up and put the wire back on it

used gemini motors go for about 20 bux in the local rag

but before you go to that effort.. check all your connections first

(i still think its the badge)

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Expert in training

it's definitely the earth.... it's a dodgy connection - check the connection to the body in the boot, unbolt it, clean it all up with a wire brush and bolt it down again. My Mini K was stranded in front of a mates place for a couple of days because of that once - the RACV bloke just about laughed at me when he gave it a wiggle and everything started working again after I spent heaps of time trying to figure it out. Happened to the van a couple of weeks ago, I new right where to go, and you guessed it, earth was coming loose

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did I tell you that I won a trophy?

Yep all of the above BUT don't forget the braided earth strap under the clutch housing - remove the bolts and make sure you have nice shiny surfaces both ends. You may have a ring gear or bendix gear that is graunched up and not wanting to engage correctly....solenoid problem ...the terminals on the left hand side inner wing where the starter cables are switched is another place I would check....the list goes on and on....good luck

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"Show me the Mini!"

the mods for a gemini stater are: file the mounting holes closer to the centre of the starter by aprox 7 mm each side. bolt in , wire up, drive away

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lookin for another clubby

As others have said:

It's probably the earth lead. Could also be the solenoid.

I paid $35 for my GE Mini starter motor (from pick and payless - these guys must be able to spot the Mini owners at the blacktown branch by now) and it turned out to be recoed only 6-8 months earlier. Ben described the mod to fit - file the holes inwards toward the starter until it fits cleanly in the old starter position. This can be trial and error but is not hard. The wiring can be the hardest part and even that's not hard - need to bypass the old solenoid on the engine block by joining the two positive leads (if they are on separate terminals) together on the one terminal (as you will be using the Gemini solenoid of course) and hook the feed wire to the solenoid (you may have to change the terminal from a round to a spade connection depending on what you have).

I did this on mine and it is easier to start by virtue of spinning the motor over quicker and also does not whirr and throw out the starter all the time like the lucas. I'd rate it as one of the simplest and bets mods I 've done - do it, you won't go back to lucas.

Only hassle in a round nose as Ben mentioned is where you might later mount the oil cooler. If you are happy with it on your shelf; leave it there!

Kevin.